FAMILY TIES

Mark Moran / The Citizens' Voice
WBS Penguins' Philip Samuelsson has two goals, six assists and is a plus-7 in 36 games this season.

WILKES-BARRE - At the 1991 trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Ulf Samuelsson from the Hartford Whalers in one of the most successful deals in team history.

He was the perfect physical, stay-at-home complement to the smooth and talented Larry Murphy, the fifth highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history. Paired together, they won back-to-back Stanley Cups.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Philip Samuelsson doesn't remember much about his father's Pittsburgh days. After all, he was born in July of 1991, the summer between the two championship seasons. Nonetheless, he is emerging as the kind of player who could play the exact same role in the NHL that his dad did two decades ago.

"He could be an anchor of a defensive pairing," coach John Hynes said. "He's done a nice job with Joe Morrow the last few games. Phil's consistency, execution of the system, attention to detail have really helped Joe come along. That's where I see Phil continuing to progress."

Morrow is one of several young offensive defensemen in the Penguins system, from Simon Despres in Pittsburgh to Brian Dumoulin with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to 2012 first-round pick Derrick Pouliot still in juniors.

Samuelsson could be the Charlie Huddy to their Paul Coffey, the Dallas Smith or Al Sims to their Bobby Orr, the Ulf Samuelsson to their Larry Murphy, as time goes on.

"He's reliable and he's the same guy every day in practice and every day in games," Hynes said. "There's been very little dip in his intensity and his play."

At times during his rookie season last year, Samuelsson could have been described as the anchor of his defense pair in an entirely different context. As in, he was the weight dragging things down.

The pro game was faster than it was at Boston College. His skating could handle the faster pace, but his decision making lagged. As a result, one game he looked great, the next he looked terrible.

"I think that's the struggle about pro hockey, trying to be consistent," Samuelsson said. "I think this year I've definitely been more consistent and played with more confidence. I think those are the two keys to my success right now."

The numbers back up Samuelsson's assessment. Coming into this weekend, he led the team with a plus-9 rating, not to mention a respectable total of two goals and eight points in 35 games.

As he has gained experience, he's begun to make quick, smart decisions with the puck more and more regularly.

"He's figured out what his options are," Hynes said. "He's bought into taking the simplest option. Sometimes it is the cross-ice pass, but other times, maybe it's a five-foot bank pass to a forward that's open. He's done a nice job of that."

While his play with the puck has improved, his play away from it, in the gritty areas of the ice, will always be his bread and butter.

"It's part of my game to be strong in front of the net, to let people know (what happens) when they come back there," Samuelsson said. "If I have to use my stick a little bit to get them out of there, I'll do it."

Using his stick to clear opponents from the front of the net? Why, that's illegal. What would dad say?

"I learned a couple tricks from him growing up," Samuelsson said.

The elder Samuelsson was one of the most feared defensemen in the NHL for the better part of 20 years. Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster Paul Steigerwald famously called him Jack Lambert on skates.

His son's snarl is a little more subtle than that.

"He got caught a few more times than I have," Samuelsson said. "I think I'm a toned-down version of him. I still want to have that nastiness in my game."

As the last few paragraphs have demonstrated, because of the similar role they play, it's difficult to discuss Samuelsson's game without making reference to his father.

Some athletes might balk at those comparisons. Samuelsson embraces them, as the No. 5 on the back of his jersey, the same number his father wore, shows.

"I love talking about it. I love watching his old games," Samuelsson said. "It never gets old to me."

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